Application of QPLEXTM biomarkers in cognitively normal individuals across a broad age range and diverse regions with cerebral amyloid deposition

The deposition of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain precedes the onset of symptoms such as cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease (AD); therefore, the early detection of Aβ accumulation is crucial. We previously reported the applicability of the QPLEX^TM Alz plus assay kit for the prescreening of Aβ accumulation. Here, we tested the specific application of the kit in a large cohort of cognitively normal (CN) individuals of varying ages for the early detection of Aβ accumulation. We included a total of 221 CN participants with or without brain Aβ. The QPLEX^TM biomarkers were characterized based on age groups (1^st–3^rd tertile) and across various brain regions with cerebral amyloid deposition. The 3^rd tertile group (>65 years) was found to be the most suitable age group for the application of our assay kit. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC, discrimination power) was 0.878 with 69.7% sensitivity and 98.4% specificity in the 3^rd tertile group. Additionally, specific correlations between biomarkers and cerebral amyloid deposition in four different brain regions revealed an overall correlation with general amyloid deposition, consistent with previous findings. Furthermore, the combinational panel with plasma Aβ1–42 levels maximized the discrimination efficiency and achieved an AUC of 0.921 with 95.7% sensitivity and 67.3% specificity. Thus, we suggest that the QPLEX^TM Alz plus assay is useful for prescreening brain Aβ levels in CN individuals, especially those aged >65 years, to prevent disease progression via the early detection of disease initiation.Subject terms: Alzheimer''s disease, Neural ageing, ELISA     

Ferrocene-based anion receptor bearing amide and triazolium donor groups

A novel ferrocene-based anion receptor bearing amide and triazolium donor groups and its anion complexation have been reported. We found that it shows marked electrochemical selectivity to F(-), followed by AcO(-) > Cl(-) > Br(-) > I(-), which is in accordance with (1)H NMR titration results.     

Preparations and properties of polyurethane aqueous dispersion from uncatalyzed systems of H12MDI,PTAd/bisphenol A polyol,and DMPA

Aqueous dispersions of polyrethane (PU) containing ionic and nonionic hydrophilic segments were prepared in a prepolymer mixing process using substantial amount of solvent. The acid groups were neutralized with tertiary amine, and chain extension in aqueous media was carried out with triethylene tetramine. Average particle size and particle size distribution of the dispersion, and mechanical and viscoelastic properties of the emulsion cast films were determined.     

Features of the phase fluctuation structure of a laser beam in a turbulent medium

A method for reconstruction of the laser beam phase from shearing interferograms using separation of the amplitude and phase parts of the spatial spectrum is proposed and tested both numerically and experimentally with a laboratory model of the turbulent atmosphere, which allows purposefully varying the state of turbulence and controlling its parameters. Amplitude-phase correlation in the fluctuation structure of the laser beam that passed through turbulent medium is investigated. The recorded correlation coefficient typical of weak fluctuations varies in the range of 0.2 to 0.3.     

A study of density in electron-cyclotron-resonance plasma

A theory is developed for the density profile of low temperature plasmas confined by applied magnetic field and an experiment of the electron-cyclotron-resonance (ECR) plasma is conducted to compare the theoretical prediction and experimental measurements. Due to a large electron mobility along the magnetic field, electrons move quickly out of the system, leaving ions behind and building a space charge potential, which leads to the ambipolar diffusion of ions. In a steady-state condition, the plasma generation by ionization of neutral molecules is in balance with plasma loss due to the diffusion, leading to the electron temperature equation, which is expressed in terms of the plasma size, chamber pressure, and the ionization energy and cross section of neutrals. The power balance condition leads to the plasma density equation, which is also expressed in terms of the electron temperature, the input microwave power and the chamber pressure. It is shown that the plasma density increases, reaches its peak and decreases, as the chamber pressure increases from a small value (0.1 mTorr). These simple expressions of electron temperature and density provide a scaling law of ECR plasma in terms of system parameters. After carrying out an experimental observation, it is concluded that the theoretical predictions of the electron temperature and plasma density agree remarkably well with experimental data     

Label-free emission assay of mercuric ions using DNA duplexes of poly(dT)

In this study, an assay to quantify the presence of mercuric ions and methyl mercury by double-stranded DNA containing a poly(dT) sequence was developed using a light switch compound, Ru(phen)(2)(dppz)(2+) (1), which is known to intercalate into double-stranded DNA. Upon treatment with mercuric ions, the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission derived from the intercalation of 1 was reduced due to the formation of DNA duplexes containing T-Hg(2+)-T base pairs by the dehybridization of poly(dT)-poly(dA) duplexes at room temperature. As the concentration of Hg(2+) was increased, the emission of 1 gradually decreased. This label-free method had a detection limit of 5 nM. Other metal ions, such as K(+), Ag(+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Cr(3+), Fe(3+), had no significant effect on reducing emission. This emission method can differentiate matched and mismatched poly(dT) sequences based on the dehybridization rate of dsDNA and the rate decreased in the order of T(10)C·A(11)～ T(10)A·A(11) > T(10)G·A(11) > T(11)·A(11).     

Efficient and continuous monoacylation with superior selectivity of symmetrical diamines in microreactors

Efficient and continuous monoacylation of symmetrical diamines performed in microreactors yielded superior selectivity to that predicted by statistical considerations. It is highly valuable that the kinetically controlled product in high yields was achieved without any special catalyst at ambient temperature.     

Enhanced local density of states at the Fermi level of the surface platinum in carbon-supported platinum particles by Nafion ionomer

¹⁹⁵Pt nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was employed to study the influence of Nafion ionomers (NIs), a common ingredient used as a proton conducting mediator and binder in a membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, on the local density of states at the Fermi surface (E_F-LDOS) of Pt/C catalysts. NIs were observed to increase the surface E_F-LDOS of Pt particles, thereby altering of the catalytic properties of metal particles. This correlates well with the reduction of fuel oxidation rates. Thus, ionomers decreasing the surface E_F-LDOS of Pt particles would be desirable. In addition, a new concept to interpret the surface E_F-LDOS was introduced and validated.     

Cryogenic CO2 formation on oxidized gold clusters synthesized via reactive layer assisted deposition

Gas-phase Au atoms deposited onto a multilayer film of molecular oxygen produce atomic oxygen bound to gold clusters. After removal of molecular O2, temperature programmed desorption and molecular beam techniques show that the atomic oxygen readily reacts with CO to produce CO2. At present, the structure and size distribution of these clusters are unknown. Nevertheless, CO2 forms on these clusters upon exposure to CO at temperatures as low as 35 K. Furthermore, above 120 K, the reaction goes to completion with initial reaction yields as high as 50%.     

固相反应法制备的Gd0.7Sr0.3MnO3粉末的磁学特性

利用固相反应法制备了用Sr部分替换GdMnO3中Gd的锰基钙钛矿氧化物Gd0.7Sr0.3MnO3.X射线衍射表明其晶体结构为正交晶系,空间群为Pnma.通过测量样品在零场冷却和加场冷却下的磁化强度及磁化率随温度的变化曲线,得出样品显示亚铁磁特性,Mn和Gd两个子晶格相互反平行.根据居里-外斯定律得知其居里温度为61 ...